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. 2021 Dec;10(1):2010-2015.
doi: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1994356.

Spike protein evolution in the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern: a case series from Northern Lombardy

Andreina Baj  1   2 , Federica Novazzi  1 , Francesca Drago Ferrante  1 , Angelo Genoni  2 , Elena Tettamanzi  3 , Giuseppe Catanoso  3 , Daniela Dalla Gasperina  1 , Francesco Dentali  1 , Daniele Focosi  4 , Fabrizio Maggi  1   2
Affiliations

Spike protein evolution in the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern: a case series from Northern Lombardy

Andreina Baj et al. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) "Delta" is currently defined by PANGOLIN as a cluster of 33 different AY sublineages. Delta (in particular B.1.617.2) is largely and rapidly replacing the Alpha VOC as the dominant clade in most countries. To date, variations in the Spike protein of the Delta VOC have largely been limited. We report here the results of a genomic surveillance programme from Northern Italy. We identified several Delta sublineages harbouring mutations previously reported in GISAID at extremely low frequencies and in different combinations. Two patients (one of them vaccinated) tested positive for a Delta sublineage harbouring S71F, T250I, T572I and K854N. More patients tested positive for G769 V plus C1248F, A352S, and R158G and C1248F, respectively. Genomic surveillance of Delta variants should be encouraged to anticipate immune escape and deploy countermeasures.

Keywords: C1238F; Delta; G769V; K854N; S71F; SARS-CoV-2; T250I; T572I.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Simplified linear representation of the delta VOC subclades currently reported by WHO.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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